William Herschel
1738–1822 (age 84)
Biography
William Herschel forged a path from musician to pioneering astronomer, cataloguing nebulae and building the powerful telescopes that led to the discovery of Uranus and deeper understanding of the heavens.
His spirit of inquiry and generosity in sharing discoveries inspired generations of stargazers, and his memorial at St Laurence, Upton-cum-Chalvey, honours that enduring curiosity.